Techniques such as pre-fabrication
and product standardisation have significantly evolved building
services industry over recent years. Aqua has taken on board
the principles of lean construction finding ways to eliminate
costly processes and improve efficiency.
By learning from completed projects, Aqua recognises that significant
benefits can be achieved through the early integration of project
teams and by using the knowledge supply chain's expertise.
Aqua's new innovation
committee targets continual improvement in quality, systems
and materials and embraces new techniques such as:
•
Pipe jointing
techniques
•
Modular wiring
•
Prefabrication
Detailed below are two examples of the application of innovation
to projects:
Denton Estate, Camden
This project involved the refurbishment of the heating mains
to a number of occupied blocks. The work included running new
heating risers up existing stairwells - which remained in use
during the contract period.
Potential risks identified included:
•
Working in an
occupied area
•
Welding/hot works
•
Health & Safety
issues
A number of different options were considered to overcome these
potential problems and, after considering a range of solutions
in conjunction with supply chain partners, Aqua decided that
the Victaulic range of clamp fittings were most suited to this
particular application.
The advantages that this solution provided
included:
•
No requirement
for hot works
•
Reduced installation
time
•
Less disruption
to the tenants
Travel Inn, Heathrow
This project involved the installation of services to a new
600-bedroom Travel Inn at Heathrow airport. The services within
the bedroom pods were installed off site requiring only the
main plant and distribution services to be installed on site.
The specification for the project called for traditional black
iron and copper pipe-work. With a large proportion of the construction
being carried out off site to predetermined dimensions, however,
Aqua felt that significant advantages would be gained through
the prefabrication of service mains and risers off site. Following
the involvement and evaluation of a number of suppliers and
systems,
it was decided to use the GF Instaflex system
that gave the following advantages:
•
Pipework could
be delivered to site in coils with branches pre-installed
at set dimensions
•
Health & Safety
- easier/lighter to handle than black iron
